Retinol is one of the most famous ingredients in skincare , thanks to its ability to effectively combat the signs of aging .
Retinol is part of the retinoid family , substances that are very effective for skin care, so much so that some are even used in the formulation of dermatological drugs (such as retinoic acid, tretinoin or adapalene).
Retinoids are used extensively in the formulation of anti-aging products because:
- improve skin elasticity by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin
- help skin healing
- reduce the formation and presence of wrinkles
- reduce the appearance of skin blemishes .
Retinol is among the most effective and best tolerated retinoids for cosmetic use.
It acts on wrinkles, reducing their appearance and redensifies the skin, making it smoother, more even and plump.
- Facial Retinol: How and When to Use It
- What is bakuchiol phytoretinol?
- How can I create my own routine with retinol and bakuchiol cosmetics?
Facial Retinol: How and When to Use It
Cosmetics with retinol are perfect for those who want to combat the signs of skin aging such as blemishes and wrinkles , but also for those who want to combat imperfections such as enlarged pores and acne scars .
I recommend gradually introducing retinol products into your skincare routine: start with applying them a couple of times a week, then move on to applying them every other day, and finally work your way up to applying them every day.
My advice is to use cosmetics with retinol in your evening skincare, as its use can make your skin more sensitive. In the morning, remember to always apply a sunscreen with UVA and UVB filters with a protection factor of 50.
If your skin becomes irritated (flaking, redness, sensitivity), discontinue use of retinol or further reduce the frequency of application.
Pro tip: If you're just starting out with retinol and have very sensitive skin, try the sandwich technique!
In this method, the retinol product is applied between two layers of moisturizer to make it more gentle.
So moisturizer - retinol - moisturizer!
What are the differences between retinol and phytoretinol?
As we have seen, retinol is a super effective anti-aging ingredient, but it requires some precautions for use and may not be well tolerated by very sensitive skin.
Phytoretinol and bakuchiol are excellent alternatives to retinol , much better tolerated by sensitive skin , as also demonstrated by a 2018 study conducted by the British Association of Dermatologists.
Just like Retinol, Phytoretinol helps to combat:
- wrinkles and fine lines
- loss of tone and elasticity
- skin spots
- blemishes, pimples, blackheads
Bakuchiol phytoretin can therefore be used in cases of sensitive or very reactive skin and is an excellent solution for those who are new to this type of ingredient.
Bakuchiol, unlike vitamin A, can also be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How can I create my own routine with retinol and bakuchiol cosmetics?
Start, as always, by cleansing your face.
Remove makeup and cleanse with a gentle product suitable for your skin type.
Tone your skin and wait for the toner to be fully absorbed before using your retinol or bakuchiol based cosmetic.
Now move on to a face serum, like those in the Domus Olea Toscana Skin Perfector line, formulated with pure Bakuchiol and Retinol.
In this line you will find 3 facial serums with bakuchiol , each with specific ingredients for a different skin problem:
- Bakuchiol Serum-Gel Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid specific for wrinkles and sagging skin;
- Bakuchiol Serum-Gel Vitamin C and Arbutin , ideal for spots and pigmentations;
- Bakuchiol Niacinamide and Zinc Serum-Gel , to be used if your skin has excess sebum, pimples and enlarged pores .
In these facial serums, pure Bakuchiol is combined with the famous Domus Olea Toscana phytocomplexes and specific ingredients for each skin type such as Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid with anti-aging action, Vitamin C with illuminating and anti-blemish action, Zinc Gluconate with purifying action.
Then complete your routine with the Perfecting Face Cream , to enhance the effect of your serum and improve the texture of your skin, evening out its tone.
This light, fast-absorbing cream is suitable for all skin types and contains 1% Bakuchiol, a very high percentage for this type of active ingredient.
Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and natural hydrating factors, it gives tone and smoothness to the skin while Niacinamide and Vitamin C combat the formation of spots and wrinkles and the peptides stimulate skin renewal.
Cosmetics with Bakuchiol can be used in both the morning and evening routine.
Always remember to combine sunscreen to prevent photoaging!
And for the night? Discover skin perfectors!
For even more intense action, you can include Skin Reset skin perfectors, with pure retinol, in your routine.
Retinol + Niacinamide Perfecting Treatment , a rich textured treatment for skin with wrinkles, blemishes and impurities.
If you want to start with retinol, this is the treatment I recommend! Thanks to its rich texture of hydrating agents and the presence of pre and probiotics, it protects the skin and keeps it hydrated, reducing stress on the skin.
Intensive Perfecting Treatment - Retinol + Bakuchiol , with a lighter texture, enriched with peptides and plumping active ingredients.
I recommend this product if you already have some experience with retinol or if you have very mature skin or skin with many imperfections.
Use these products only in your evening skincare, using all the precautions for the introduction of cosmetics with retinol and remember to always combine a good sunscreen!
Retinol: Frequently Asked Questions Answered
How do I know if it's irritation or skin purging?
Skin purging is a common and temporary reaction when we use ingredients that stimulate cell turnover and causes acne-like symptoms, with pimples and blackheads. It can last from 2 weeks to 4 months and is a natural process of skin adaptation.
You can reduce this phenomenon by following the advice I gave you previously: introduce retinol gradually, start with low concentrations or with the sandwich technique and always use sunscreen.
Irritation, on the other hand, presents itself differently, with redness, itching, flaking. In these cases, stop using the product and start again with a soothing routine to help your skin regenerate.
Can I use retinol with exfoliating acids?
Although many people think so, retinoids are not exfoliants; they do not work by removing the outer layer of skin, but rather stimulate the skin to speed up its turnover.
For this reason, you can use a product with retinol even if your routine includes products with acids such as AHA or BHA. The renewing action in this case will be even more powerful, since we will remove dead cells on the surface and stimulate regeneration "from below".
If you choose to use products with retinol and products with AHA and BHA, carefully define the times and methods of use of the products, both alone and in combination, and always pay close attention to how your skin responds.
